Fishing tool apparatus for well bores



Dec- 1 F. L. LE BUS, sR., ET AL 2,965,183

FISHING TOOL APPARATUS FOR WELL. BORES Filed Aug. 14, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet l mgz I i I 78 F7 .3

g INVENTOR. FL. Le Bus 5/."

BY 62 Ceci/ Ware ATTORNEY- D 20, 1960 F. L. LE Bus, sR., ETA]. 2,965,183

FISHING TOOL APPARATUS FOR WELL BORES Filed Aug. 14, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 E'INVENTOR. F 1.. Le Bus 5/.- 4 BY & Cec/Y Ware ATTORNEY D 20 19 0 F. LE BUS, sR., ETAL 2,965,183

FISHING TOOL APPARATUS FOR WELL BORES Filed Aug. 14, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 a/ 2? 8 INVENTOR.

FL [e505 5/? BY (S: Ceci/ Ware 7 ATMQA/EY FISHING TOOL APPARATUS FOR WELL BORES Franklin L. Le Bus, Sr., and Cecil Ware, Longview, Tex.,

assignors to Wash Overshot and Spear Engineers, Incorporated, Longview, Tex., a corporation of Texas Filed Aug. 14, 1957, Ser. No. 678,215

6 Claims. (Cl. 175-321) This invention relates to improvements in fishing tools and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to fishing tool apparatus for the recovery of pipe or drill collars which have become stuck in an off bottom posi tion in the well bore. The application is an improvement over the prior pending application of Cecil Ware, Serial No. 594,780.

In the drilling of wells by the rotary drilling method, and particularly deep oil wells, the well bore frequently deviates from the true vertical. Such deviations are ordinarily caused by the drill bit contacting slanting geological structures and being forced from its true vertical course. When drilling a deep oil well by the rotary method, the drill bit is secured to the lower end of one or more drill collars and the drill collars are in turn suspended from a long string of drill pipe. The drill collars are tubular members, usually approximately thirty feet in length, and are substantially heavier and more rigid than the regular drill pipe. In the event the drill bit is forced from a true vertical direction during the drilling operation, the drill collars will contact the side of the well bore and tend to remain in a vertical position. When this occurs, continued rotation of the drilling string will cause the drill collars to rub the side of the well bore and form a smaller bore in the earth slightly off-set from the Well bore formed by the drill bit. These off-set bores formed by the drill collars are commonly known as key seats.

When a drill bit is being removed from a well bore containing one of these key seats, the bit frequently becomes lodged therein to prevent immediate removal of the complete drilling string from the well bore. The usual practice, when such a condition occurs, is to disjoint the drill pipe and a portion of the drill collars for removal from the well bore, while leaving the drill bit and one or more drill collars lodged in the key seat. In some instances, the drill pipe or collars may become broken off and stuck off the bottom of the bore. Under either condition, it is customary for retrieving the lodged pipes to wash over and around the stuck portion of the pipe by the use of a wash-over pipe carrying a spear apparatus engageable with the upperend of the stuck pipe so that upon a loosening of the stuck pipe, the spear apparatus will be engaged with the wash-over pipe and prevent the loosened pipe portion from falling to the bottom and subsequently pulled out of the well bore. Furthermore, the wash-over pipe may be removed with the spear apparatus and the connecting stuck fish without permitting a stripping operation during removal.

This invention is generally concerned with a fishing tool apparatus having a wash-over pipe and reamer in which is disposed a spear or retrieving tool utilizing a plurality of upper and lower sets of slips, wherein the lower set acts primarily as anchoring slips for disposition of the tool in the wash-over pipe during the lowering thereof into the well bore. The upper set in addition to acting as an anchoring set also functions as a set of catch- 2,95,13 Patented Dec. 20, 1960 ing slips for catching the stuck fish as it starts to fall after loosening in the well bore. The retrieving tool is lowered with the wash-over pipe into the well bore for engagement with the stuck fish, after which both the anchoring and the catching slips are placed in a released condition to permit a continued downward movement of the wash-over pipe and reamer for clearing the well bore throughout the stuck portion of the fish therein. The spear apparatus also includes hydraulic packer units capable of controlling the upper set of slips so as to maintain the slips in a released position and preclude any engagement thereof during an upward movement of the washover piper, thereby providing for manipulation of the wash-over pipe as is desired. The lower anchoring slips are moved into a released position during a make up connection of the retrieving tool with the stuck fish and once in a released position are precluded from re-engagement with the wash-over pipe until the retrieving tool is removed from the well bore and the anchoring slips are re-set. Upon loosening of the fish in the well bore, it stars moving downwardly with the spear unit, and the upper catching slips are caused to immediately move outward for re-engagement with the washover pipe, and catch the loosened fish and prevent any further downward movement thereof in the well bore.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a fishing tool apparatus having a spear unit cooperating with a wash-over reamer pipe for retrieving stuck pipe in a well bore wherein the spear unit is provided with a plurality of spaced sets of slip members wherein the lower set of slip members is utilized primarily for anchoring the spear unit in the wash-over pipe and after engagement of the spear unit with the stuck fish is placed in a position of release relative to the wash-over pipe, whereas the upper set of slips in addition to acting as anchoring slips with the lower set of slips for the spear unit in the wash-over pipe, also acts as catching slips for immediate engagement with the wash-over pipe upon a loosening of the spear unit causing a movement downwardly of the loosened fish and its connected spear unit.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a spear unit adapted to cooperate with a washover pipe for retrieving stuck pipe wherein the spear unit may be alternately engaged or released with the wash-over pipe so that engagement will permit movement of the spear unit with the wash-over pipe, or in disengagement will permit movement of the wash-over pipe relative to the spear unit, thus providing vertical movement of the wash-over pipe if desired after connection of the spear unit with the stuck pipe, but leaving the spear unit in a position to engage the wash-over pipe in the event the stuck fish should become loosened and drop in the well bore.

A further object of this invention is to provide a well tool having a spear apparatus adapted to be supported in a wash-over pipe for rotation with the Wash-over pipe in the well bore, and capable of engagement with a fish lodged in the bore, yet permitting continued downward movement and rotation of the wash-over pipe after engagement of the spear apparatus with the lodged fish.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved retrieving tool for recovery of lodged drill collars in a well bore by catching the drill collars when they become dislodged from the bore.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a well tool adapted to be alternately anchored and released relative to a wash-over pipe disposed in a well bore, and utilizing an application of hydraulic pressure in a manner to maintain the tool in 2. released position relative to the wash-over pipe.

And still another object of this invention is to provide a wash-over tool apparatus for retrieving stuck drill collars in a well bore having a spear unit engaging the stuck fish in the well bore wherein said spear unit is normally anchored to the wash-over pipe for rotation therewith, yet may be releasably disconnectedtherefrorn so that independent vertical movement of the wash-over pipe relative to the spear unit may be obtained and thereby providing variable movements or complete removal of the wash-over pipe leaving the spear unit engaged with the fish.

And still another object of this invention is to provide a fishing tool apparatus for retrieving drill collars stuck off bottom of a well bore including a spear unit alternately anchored and released relative to a wash-over pipe and reamer and engageable with the stack collars in a released position to permit continued reaming of the wash-over pipe and reamer and provided with hydraulic actuated packer means normally maintaining the spear unit in a released position with the wash-over pipe, but upon loosening of the stuck collars are responsive to an increased fluid pressure to assist in actuating the spear unit into immediate engagement with the wash-over pipe and prevent any further downward movement of the loosened collars. I

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate our invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical elevational view partly in section illustrating the retrieving tool prior to insertion in a washover pipe.

Figure 2 is an elevational view with certain parts in section for clarity showing the retrieving tool securely anchored in the lower section of a wash-over pipe.

Figure 3 is an elevational view with certain parts in section for clarity of the reamer and depicting it immediately below Fig. 2 in unattached relationship.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the tool depicted in a wash-over pipe. and starting to engage a lower fish.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the retrieving tool completely made up in the stuck fish.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the retrieving tool in a released position relative to the washover pipe.

Figure 7 is aview similar to Fig. 5 showing the fish in loosened condition and the slips re-engaged with the washoyer pipe.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the retrieving tool disposed in the wash-over pipe in condition for relocation therein.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, reference character 1 designates generally a retrieving tool apparatus having an upper sub member 2 provided with a threaded box 3 for a field connection as desired. The bushing or sub 2 is threadedly connected at 4 with a cylindrical mandrel 5 provided at its lower end with threads 6 for connection with a second cylindrical mandrel 7 having an enlarged portion 7a upon which is provided a circumferentially arranged inwardly tapered surface 8 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. The lower end of the mandrel 7 is threadedly connected at 9 with a lower sub member 10 in turn having tapered lower threads 11 for receiving a tubular sleeve or bushing 12. The bushing 12 is threadedly connected at 13 with a lower mandrel 14 having an outwardly extending flange or boss member 15 at its lower end. The mandrel 14 is provided with left hand threads 16 for threaded cooperation with a lower bushing 17 having a bore 18 of increased diameter providing an outer leg 19 into which is telescopically disposed the boss 15. The leg 19 is threadedly engaged at 20 with a lower bushing or sub member 2 1 having a threaded pin 22 for engagement with a stuck fish in the well bore in a manner as will be hereinafter set forth. A keeper ring 23 is disposed around the upper portion of the bushing 17 as will be hereinafter set forth.

Referring to the intermediate mandrel 7, a slidable sleeve 25 is circumferentially disposed about the enlarged mandrel portion 7a. The inner periphery 26 of the sleeve 25 is threaded at 27 for threaded connection with a bushing or sub member 28 having a cut away portion or turn down portion 29 for receiving a sleeve or thimble 30 in which is disposed a flexible packer member 31 having an outwardly depending leg member 32. A suitable nut 33 is threaded at 34 to the bushing 28 for maintaining the assembly in position around the mandrel 5.

The outer sleeve member 25 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses or windows 36 in which are disposed a plurality of sets of circumferentially spaced slips 37 each having serrated teeth 38. The slips 37 on their inner faces are inwardly tapered at 39 for cooperation with the tapered face 8 on the enlarged mandrel portion 7a as will be hereinafter set forth. The slips are provided with a groove 40 for receiving a yieldable keeper ring 41 normally maintaining the slips inwardly against the mandrel 7. The slips are of reduced diameter providing a recess 42 and a boss 43 having a plurality of threaded apertures 44, each receiving the threaded studs 45.

The sleeve 25 below the slips 37 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses 46, each adapted to receive a friction block 47. The friction blocks are provided with upper and lower tapered flange portions 48 cooperating with keeper screw 49 threadedly engaged in the apertures 50 of the sleeve 25 for maintaining the friction blocks thereon. Each of the friction blocks 47 is provided with vertically spaced pockets Sll, each having one end of a helical spring 52 anchored therein with the opposite end 53 anchored against the outer periphery of the sleeve 25. It will be apparent that the compression of the spring 52 will maintain the friction blocks in radial outwardly disposition against their keeper screws 4? for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. The lower portion of the sleeve 25 is of reduced diameter at 54 for receiving a sleeve or thimble 55 in which is disposed a lower packer ring 56 having an elongated leg portion 57. The ring and sleeve 54 are held against the sleeve 25 by a jamb nut 58 in the usual manner.

The sleeve 12 is provided with an enlarged bore 60 in which is cut a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses or windows 61 each adapted to receive a slip member 62 cooperating with a lower tapered or substantially wedge shaped bushing 63. Each of the lower slips 62 is provided with serrated teeth 64 on its outer face, while the inner face is provided with an upwardly inwardly tapered face 66 having a cut away portion forming a shoulder 67 and a lower inwardly tapered face 68. The outer periphery of the slips 62 is provided with a circumferential groove 69 in which is disposed a yieldable keeper ring 70. The outer face of the lower bushing 63 isformed to provide inwardly tapered parallel faces '72 and 73 having a shoulder 74 therebetween. The faces 72 and 73 are adapted to cooperate with the faces 66 and 68 of the slip member respectively in a manner as will be hereinafter set forth. The lower end of the bushing is provided with a groove 75 for receiving one leg of the keeper ring 23.

Operation supported from the well surface in any suitable or well known manner (not shown) into the well bore. condition, the friction members 47 are engaging the inner wall of the wash-over pipe 76 maintaining the tool therein, consequently with a pick up or vertical movement upward of the wash-over pipe 76, the slidable sleeves 25 will be simultaneously moved upward causing cooperation between the tapered faces 8 and 39, thereby forcing the upper slips 37 radially outward into engagement with the inner wall of the wash-over pipe 76. A continued lifting or picking up of the wash-over pipe 76 with a simultaneous rotation of the bushing in a counter-clockwise direction will cause the lower bushing 17 to move upward on the left hand threads 16, thereby moving the lower Wedge 63 upwardly to bring the tapered walls 72 and 73 into cooperation with the complementary walls 66 and 68 of the lower anchoring slips 62 and forcing the slips 62 radially outward into engagement with the inner walls of the washover pipe 76. Since the left hand threads 16 are on the lower mandrel 14 connected to the lower end of the intermediate mandrel 7 through the bushings 12 and 10, a continued counter-clockwise rotation of the bushing 21 will tend to pull the opposed tapering walls 8 and 39 and 66, 68, 72, 73 together for securely tightening both sets of slips 37 and 62 with the wall of the wash-over pipe 76 to whatever degree of tightness is desired. The right hand threaded connections between the bushings 17 and 21, as well as the other various mandrels and bushings, may be provided with any suitable locking key arrangement (not shown) to preclude disconnection thereof during the above rotation of the bushing 21 to set the slips in the wash-over pipe 76. The wash-over pipe includes the lower reaming tool 77 having a plurality of circumferential reaming teeth 78 and is threadedly engaged at 79 (Figs. 2 and 3) with threads 80 on the lowermost end of the Wash-over pipe 76 for completing the assembly of the fishing tool apparatus now in condition for running into the bore of an oil well for a washing and fishing operation.

As the wash-over pipe 76 is lowered into the well bore 81 (Fig. 4), it eventually comes in contact with the upper section of the stuck fish 82 and a continued lowering and rotation of the fishing tool unit in a clockwise direction will make up or provide a connection between the threads 22 on the lower bushing 21 and the upper threaded box (not shown) of the upper section of stuck fish 82. With the retrieving tool unit 1 made up or engaged with the stuck fish 82, a slight upward pull combined with a continued clockwise rotation of the wash-over pipe will overcome the tighteness with which the anchoring slips 62 were secured within the wash-over pipe 76 at the surface of the well prior to the lowering operation of the wash-over pipe into the well bore. In this operation the left hand threads 16 will permit release of the tapered surfaces 72 and 73 of the wedge 63 by movement of the wedge 63 downwardly away from the faces 66 and 68 respectively of the slips 62. This continued clockwise rotation and slight upward tension assisted by the spring 70 will cause the slip members 62 to recede inwardly for a non-engaging or released position away from the wash-over pipe 76 as shown in Fig. 5. The slips 62 cannot re-engage the wash-over pipe while it is in a wash-over operation in the well bore because the expansible ring member 78 will hold the shoulder 67 above the upper inclined face 72 of the wedge 63 (Fig. and in similar manner, hold the lower end 84 of the slips 62 above the shoulder 74 of the wedge 63, thereby preventing any cooperation between the inwardly tapered faces of the slips 62 and the outwardly tapered faces of the wedge 63 (Fig. 5). Thus, a continued upward tension with simultaneous clockwise rotation of the wash-over pipe 76 will make up the retrieving tool 1 as tight as desired.

After a make up connection of the retrieving tool unit 1 in the fish 82, a release of the torque on the wash-over pipe with a letting down or slack off thereof will move the slips away from the taper 8 and with the assistance of spring 41 will cause the upper slips 37 to recede to an inward or released position relative to the wash-over pipe '76, such as shown in Fig. 6. In this condition, the contplete fishing tool unit is ready for the wash-over or reaming operation for loosening the stuck fish in the well bore.

In the wash-over operation, it often becomes necessary to add an additional section of drill pipe from the surface of the well, and in the present apparatus it is not necessary to use a J-slot 86 and oo-operating pin 87 to maintain a released position of the slips during upward movement of the wash-over pipe when adding a new section thereto. In the wash-over operation, the drilling fluid from the surface of the well is circulated through the tool and is discharged from the circumferentially spaced aperture 88 provided in the bushing or sub 10 (Figs. 1 and 5) for flow below the reamer shoe 77 and into the annulus 89 between the well bore 81 and the outer periphery of the wash-over pipe 76. It will be apparent that auxiliary circulating apertures 90 may be provided in the bushing 21 if desired. The flow of the circulating fluid is restricted by the packer rings 31 and 56, and it will be ap parent that when the slips 37 are in released position from the inner wall of the wash-over pipe, any upward movement of the wash-over pipe 76 will tend to move the slidable sleeve 25 upwardly due to the engagement of the friction shoes 47, thereby providing a tendency for engagement of the slips 37 with the wash-over pipe 76. In order to preclude any re-engagement of the slips 37 during upward movement of the wash-over pipe 76, the hydraulic fluid pressure circulating in the tool is caused to be increased and acts on the fluid packers 31 and 56. In order to provide the necessary hydraulic pressure, the pump pressure at the surface of the well is increased, thereby increasing the differential fluid pressure between that in the chamber 92 of the tool 1 and in the annulus 89 between the wash-over pipe 76 and the Well bore 81, and likewise causing an increased fluid volume acting against the packers 31 and 56. In this manner, any movement of the slip cage or slidable sleeve 25 is prevented so that the wash-over pipe 76 may be moved vertically with the slips maintained in a released position.

It has been found that when the reamer 77 is drilling in hard formation, such as chert or the like, and in what is commonly known as hard reaming, the well bore 81 will fit tight around the reamer or milling shoe 77 in what is known as a tight hole condition With an increase of fluid pressure for setting the fluid packers in tightly against the inner wall of the wash-over pipe, this tight hole condition sometimes creates a back pressure on the lower packer 56 which is greater than the fluid pressure against the upper fluid packer 31. In such instances, this pressure acting against the packer 56 may cause the slip cage 25 to move upwardly against the tapered surface 8 and set the slips with the inner wall of the wash-over pipe, consequently precluding continued upward movement of the wash-over pipe when desired. In order to overcome any possibility of increased back pressure, the lower packer 56 may be provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures 93 (Fig. 1 for relieving the back pressure and providing a static condition for the fluid pressure throughout the tool unit 1. The back pressure condition is usually caused by the fluid pressure building up against the lower packer 56 faster than it can discharge through the circulating apertures 88.

As the wash-over operation progresses during continued downward movement and rotation of the wash-over pipe 76 and reamer 77, the fish 82 will eventually become loosened and start to fall to the bottom of the well bore. The retrieving tool 1 due to the make up engagement with the stuck fish 82 will fall simultaneously with the loosened fish 82, and substantially immediately with the start of the downward fall will move the upper tapered surface 8 into contact with the tapered face 39 of the catching slips 37 to cause an outward movement thereof and engagement with the inner wall of the wash-over pipe 76, thus preventing the fish 82 and the connecting retrieving tool 1 from falling, to the bottom of the well bore. With engagement of the catching slips 37; the fish 82 is securely caught in the wash-over pipe 76 and may then be removed from the well bore by lifting the wash-over pipe 76 out of the well bore until the particular section of wash-over pipe in which the retrieving tool unit 1 and the fish 82. are secured reaches the surface of the well bore.

In order to preclude a costly stripping operation of the retrieving unit 1 and continue the removal of the washover pipe, it is necessary to relocate the retrieving tool 1 and the fish 82 in the lowermost sections of washover pipe 76. These lowermost sections may be sev eral hundred feet due to multiple additions of pipe sections during the wash-over operation and dependent upon the stuck condition of the fish 82, thereby causing a change in the original position of the retrieving unit 1 relative to the wash-over pipe. Consequently, it is preferable to relocate the retrieving unit 1, and in order to do so, the section of wash-over pipe reaching the surface of the well is set in suitable slips in the rotary table (not shown), after which a string of drill pipe 96 (Fig. 8) is made up with the upper bushing Z of the retrieving tool 1. After connection of the drill pipe, it is moved vertically upward with a simultaneous clockwise rotation thereof so that the tapered face 8 will move vertically upward away from the slips 37 to provide a non-engag ng release from the wash-over pipe 76. The rotation of the drill pipe 96 and now connected tool 1 will rotate. the pin 87 causing it to move into the recessed portion 97 of the J-shaped slot 86 provided on the mandrel 7, thereby putting the retrieving tool unit in a locked position, as shown in Fig. 8, and free to be reciprocated vertically within the wash-over pipe without a resetting of the slips 37 thereagainst. By letting down the pipe string 96 and its connected tool I, the fish 82 can be lowered to the lowermost section of the wash-over pipe 76 for a resetting of the retrieving tool unit therein. In the resetting operation, the drill pipe section 96 is rotated counter-clockwise so that the pin 87 will move out of the slot 97 and into the position shown in Fig. 5 and with a subsequent letting off or slight downward movement of the drill string 96, the tapers 8 and 39 will engage and cause the slips 37 to move radially outward into a re-engagement with the. wash-over pipe 76, thereby firmly anchoring the tool 1 in the lowermost section of the wash-over pipe. 7

Subsequent to this relocating operation, the string of drill pipe 96 is backed out from the coupling 2 and removed from the wash-over pipe 76, thereby permitting by a combined downward and counter-clockwise rotation thereof. This will place the pin 87 in a locked position as shown in Fig. 8 and the wash-over pipe 76 may then be removed, leaving the retrieving tool 1 securely fastened to the top of the fish being; held at the surface of the well. The retrieving tool i rnay then be removed from the fish 82 by disengagement of the bushing 21' andremoved, after which the fish may be removed fromthe well bore in any suitable manner,

From the foregoiug it will be apparent that the present invention provides a fishingtool apparatusfor wash; ing around the stuck portion of a pipe with a wash-over pipe and reamer having a reaming tool disposed in the lower end thereofand'engageable with the upper end. of the stuck pipevso when the stuck pipeis washed free and loosened, it ispreventedfrom falling to the bottom of the well by engagement of the retrieving tool to the 1 5O removal of the remainder of the wash-over pipe in the When the last joint of wash-over wash-over pipe, after which it may be removed from the well bore, along with the wash-over pipe. The in vention contemplates a plurality of sets of upper and lower slips, wherein the lower slips are primarily concerned with the anchoring of the retrieving tool in the wash-over pipe so that in making up a connection of the retrieving tool with the stuck fish, the retrieving tool may be securely connected therewith due to the tightness of the lower anchoring slips. Once the retrieving tool is made up with the fish, the lower anchoring slips are placed in a released position and are prevented from any further engagement with the wash-over pipe until the retrieving tool is withdrawn from the well bore and reset. On the other hand, the upper catching slips operate both to assist the anchoring slips, but mainly to catch the loosened fish upon its downward movement by an immediate engagement with the wash-over pipe. Furthermore, the apparatus contemplates a release of the catching slipsfor a continued downward movement of the wash-over pipe, yet permits vertical upward movement thereof with the slips retained in a released position through the application of hydraulic pressure utilized with flexible packer members on both sides of the catching slips, thereby permitting manipulation of the washover pipe to add additional sections of drill pipe without engagement of the slips.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts are heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. In a wash-over apparatus for retrieving stuck fish in a well bore comprising a wash-over pipe having a retrieving tool adapted to be positioned therein for a make up connection with the stuck fish in the well bore, said tool comprising an elongated sectional mandrel having a slidable sleeve thereon, a plurality of sets of upper slips carried by the sleeve, means carried by the sleeve for frictionally engaging the wash-over pipe, said mandrel having an enlarged upper portion tapered upwardly and radially outwardly and adapted to cooperate with the upper set of slips and responsive to vertical movement between the mandrel and the wash-over pipe to alternately provide for engagement and non-engagement of the slips with the wash-over pipe, a plurality of lower anchoring slips disposed around the mandrel, a wedge shaped member slidably disposed on the lowermost portion of the mandrel below the lower anchoring slips and adapted for contact therewith, a bushing member disposed around the mandrel below the wedge for supporting the wedge shaped member on the mandrel, means securing the bushing to the wedge shaped member for simultaneous longitudinal movement therebetween, means carried by the bushing for engaging the stuck fish, means cooperating between the mandrel and the bushing and responsive to rotation of the mandrel in one direction to move the wedge means in a direction to provide for radial outward movement of the lower anchoring slips with the wash-over pipe and alternately responsive to a rotation of the mandrel in a direction opposite to the first mentioned directionto move the bushing away from the lower anchoring slips and provide for disengagement thereof with the wash-over pipe, means carried by the lower slips to disengage the lower slips from the wash-over pipe in the last mentioned position of the wedge, and shoulder means cooperating between the wedge and the lower slips preventing subsequent engagement of the slips after a released position thereof from the wash-overpipe, said enlarged upper tapered portion ofthe mandrel responsive to a downward movement thereof upon loosening of the stuck fish to provide for engagement ofthe upper catching slips with the wash-over pipe.

2. In a wash-over apparatus for retrieving stuck fish in a well bore comprising a wash-over pipe having a retrieving tool adapted to be positioned therein for a makeup connection with the stuck fish in the well bore, said tool comprising an elongated sectional mandrel having a slidable sleeve thereon, a plurality of sets of upper slips carried by the sleeve, means carried by the sleeve for frictionally engaging the wash-over pipe, said mandrel having an enlarged upper portion tapered upwardly and radially outwardly and adapted to cooperate with the upper set of slips and responsive to vertical movement between the mandrel and the wash-over pipe to alternately provide for engagement and non-engagement of the slips with the wash-over pipe, a plurality of sets of lower anchoring slips disposed around the lower portion of the mandrel, a wedge shaped member slidably disposed on the lowermost portion of the mandrel below the lower anchoring slips and adapted for contact therewith, a bushing member disposed around the mandrel below the wedge for supporting the wedge shaped member on the mandrel, means securing the bushing to the wedge shaped member for simultaneous longitudinal movement therebetween, means carried by the bushing for engaging the stuck fish, cooperating tapered surfaces provided on the wedge shaped member and the slips, left hand threads cooperating between the mandrel and the bushng and responsive to rotation of the mandrel in one direction to move the wedge means in a direction to provide for radial outward movement of the lower anchoring slips with the wash-over pipe and alternately responsive to a rotation of the mandrel in a direction opposite to the first mentioned direction to move the bushing away from the lower anchoring slips and provide for disengagement thereof with the wash-over pipe, means carried by the lower slips to disengage from the wash-over pipe in the last mentioned position of the Wedge, and shoulder means cooperating between the wedge and the lower slips preventing subsequent engagement of the slips after a released position thereof from the wash-over pipe, said enlarged upper tapered portion of the mandrel responsive to a downward movement thereof upon loosening of the stuck fish to provide for engagement of the upper catching slips with the Wash-over pipe.

3. In a wash-over apparatus for retrieving stuck fish in a well bore comprising a wash-over pipe having a retrieving tool adapted to be positioned therein for a make up connection with the stuck fish in the well bore, said tool comprising an elongated sectional mandrel having a slidable sleeve thereon, a plurality of sets of upper slips carried by the sleeve, means carried by the sleeve for frictionally engaging the wash-over pipe, said mandrel having an enlarged upper portion tapered upwardly and radially outwardly and adapted to cooperate with the upper set of slips and responsive to vertical movement between the mandrel and the wash-over pipe to alternately provide for engagement and non-engagement of the slips with the wash-over pipe, a plurality of sets of lower anchoring slips disposed around the mandrel below the sleeve, a wedge shaped member slidably disposed on the lowermost portion of the mandrel below the lower anchoring slips and adapted for contact therewith, a bushing member disposed below the wedge for supporting the wedge shaped member on the mandrel, means securing the bushing to the wedge shaped member for simultaneous longitudinal movement therebetween, means carried by the bushing for engaging the stuck fish, means cooperating between the mandrel and the bushing and responsive to rotation of the mandrel in one direction to move the wedge means in a direction to provide for radial outward movement of the lower anchoring slips with the wash-over pipe and alternately responsive to a rotation of the mandrel in a direction opposite to the first mentioned direction to move the bushing away from the lower anchoring slips and prothe lower slips vide for disengagement thereof with the wash-over pipe, means carried by the lower slips to disengage the lower slips from the wash-over pipe in the last mentioned position of the wedge, and shoulder means cooperating between the wedge shaped member and the lower slips preventing subsequent engagement of the slips after a released position thereof from the wash-over pipe, said enlarged tapered upper portion responsive to an upward movement of the wash-over pipe after a make up connection of the retrieving tool with the stuck fish for movement away from the upper slips to provide for a position of release thereof, said enlarged upper tapered portion of the mandrel responsive to a downward movement thereof upon loosening of the stuck fish to provide for engagement of the upper catching slips with the washover pipe.

4. In a wash-over apparatus for retrieving stuck fish in a well bore comprising a wash-over pipe having a retrieving tool adapted to be positioned therein for a make up connection with the stuck fish in the well bore, said tool comprising an elongated sectional mandrel having a slidable sleeve thereon, a plurality of sets of upper sl'ps carried by the sleeve, means carried by the sleeve for frictionally engaging the wash-over pipe, said mandrel having an enlarged upper portion tapered upwardly and radially outwardly and adapted to cooperate with the upper set of slips and responsive to vertical movement between the mandrel and the wash-over pipe to alternately provide for engagement and non-engagement of the slips with the wash-over pipe, a plurality of sets of lower anchoring slips disposed around the mandrel below the sleeve, a wedge shaped member slidably disposed on the lowermost portion of the mandrel below the lower anchoring slips and adapted for contact therewith, a bushing member disposed around the mandrel below the wedge for supporting the wedge shaped member on the mandrel, means securing the bushing to the wedge shaped member for simultaneous longitudinal movement therebetween, means carried by the bushing for engaging the stuck fish, means cooperating between the mandrel and the bushing and responsive to rotation of the mandrel in one direction to move the wedge means in a direction to provide for radIal outward movement of the lower anchoring slips with the wash-over pipe and alternately responsive to a rotation of the mandrel in a direction opposite to the first mentioned direction to move the bushing away from the lower anchoring slips and provide for disengagement thereof with the wash-over pipe, means carried by the lower slips to disengage the lower slips from the washover pipe in the last mentioned position for the wedge, shoulder means cooperating between the wedge and the lower slips preventing subsequent engagement of the slips after a released position thereof from the wash-over pipe, means providing for fluid circulation through the retrieving tool, and flexible packer means carried by the slidable sleeve and responsive to an increased hydraulic pressure of the fluid circulation to maintain the sleeve in a position to preclude any'engagement of the upper slips upon vertical upward movement of the wash-over pipe, said enlarged upper tapered portion of the mandrel responsive to a downward movement thereof upon loosening of the stuck fish to provide for engagement of the upper catching slips with the wash-over pipe.

5. In a Wash-over apparatus for retrieving stuck fish in a well bore comprising a wash-over pipe having a retrieving tool adapted to be positioned therein for a make up connection with the stuck fish in the well bore, said tool comprising an elongated sectional mandrel having a slidable sleeve thereon, a plurality of sets of upper slips carried by the sleeve, means carried by the sleeve for frictionally engaging the wash-over pipe, said mandrel having an enlarged upper portion tapered upwardly and radially outwardly and adapted to cooperate with the upper set of slips and responsive to vertical movement between the mandrel and the wash-over pipe to alternately provide for engagement and non-engagement of the slips with the wash-over pipe, a plurality of sets of lower anchoring slips disposed around the mandrel below the sleeve, a wedge shaped member slidably disposed on the lowermost portion of the mandrel below the lower anchoring slips and adapted for contact therewith, a bushing member disposed around the mandrel below the wedge for supporting the wedge shaped member on the mandrel, means securing the bushing to the wedge shaped member for simultaneous longitudinal movement therebetween, means carried by the bushing for engaging the stuck fish, means cooperating between the mandrel and the bushing and responsive to rotation of the mandrel in one direction to move the wedge means in a direction to provide for radial outward movement of the lower anchoring slips with the wash-over pipe and alternately responsive to a rotation of the mandrel in a direction opposite to the first mentioned direction to move the bushing away from the lower anchoring slips and provide for disengagement thereof with the wash-over pipe, means carried by the lower slips to disengage the lower slips from the wash-over pipe in the last mentioned position for the wedge, shoulder means cooperating between the wedge and the lower slips preventing subsequent engagement of the slips after a released position thereof from the wash-over pipe, means providing for fluid circulation through the retriewng tool, and spaced flexible packer means carried bythe slidable sleeve and responsive to an increased hydraulic pressure of the fluid circulation to maintain the sleeve in a position to preclude engagement of the upper slips upon any vertical upward movement of the washover pipe, at least one of said packer means having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures for relief of any back pressure provided by the increased hydraulic fiuid pressure, said enlarged tapered upper portion responsive to an upward movement of the wash-over pipe after a make up connection of the retrieving tool with,

the stuck fish for movement away from the upper slips to provide fora position of release thereof, said enlarged upper tapered portion of the mandrel responsive to a downward movement thereof upon loosening of the stuck fish to provide for engagement of the upper catching slips with the wash-over pipe.

6. In an apparatus for retrieving stuck fish in a well bore comprising in combination a wash-over pipe, a reamer and a retrieving tool adapted to be positioned therein for a make up connection with the stuck fish in the well bore, said tool comprising a plurality of axially connected mandrels having a slidable sleeve thereon, an upper set of catching slips provided on the sleeve, an enlarged portion tapered upwardly and radially outwardly provided on the upper mandrel adapted to cooperate with the catching slips to provide for alter nate engagement and non-engagement of the slips with the wash-over pipe, a wedge shaped member slidably disposed on the lowermost portion of the mandrel, lower anchoring slips disposed around the mandrel and having tapered faces cooperating with the wedge means for alternate engagement and non engagement with the washover pipe, 2. bushing disposed around the mandrel below the wedge for supporting the Wedge shaped member on the mandrel, means for securing the bushing to the wedge shaped member, means carried by the bushing for engaging the stuck fish, left hand threads cooperating between the mandrel and the bushing and responsive to rotation of the mandrel in one direction to move the wedge means in a vertical upward direction into contact with the lower anchoring .slips and cause radial out- Ward movement thereof for an anchoring engagement with the wash-over pipe, and alternately responsive to rotation of the mandrel in an opposite direction to the first mentioned direction to move the bushing vertically downward away from the lower anchoring slips and into a disengaging position with the wash-over pipe, spring means carried vby the lower slips for disengaging the lower slips from the wash-over pipe in the last mentioned position of the wedge, and shoulder means cooperating between the tapered faces of the wedge shaped member andthe lower slips preventing subsequent engagement of the slips after a released position thereof from the wash-over pipe.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,762,438 Naylor Sept. 11, 1956 

